These butter spritz cookies spiced with cinnamon then topped with caramel Hershey’s kisses need to make an appearance on your cookie trays for Christmas.
Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies: The Must-Have Festive Treat for Your Holiday Tray
The holiday season officially kicks off the moment Thanksgiving fades into memory. For many, including myself, this marks the joyful transition from autumnal feasts to the twinkling lights and warm spices of Christmas. While some might jump straight into festive tunes and decorations, I hold off until the Thanksgiving leftovers are safely tucked away. Every year, it’s a cherished post-Thanksgiving tradition to help my parents adorn their home with Christmas cheer, often accompanied by our beloved cat, Murray, attempting to claim the tree skirt as his new throne or, even more ambitiously, trying to squeeze into Baby Jesus’ manger!
Beyond the twinkling lights and playful pet antics, another beloved Christmas tradition that truly signifies the season is the joyous act of baking. The aroma of warm spices, melting chocolate, and freshly baked dough fills the air, creating an atmosphere of comfort and celebration. This isn’t just about making any cookies; it’s about crafting those special, festive treats that only make an appearance during December. And among these seasonal delights, our Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies stand out as an absolute must-bake. These aren’t just any cookies; they are exquisitely buttery, subtly spiced with warm cinnamon, uniquely shaped with a cookie press, and crowned with a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth Caramel Hershey’s Kiss.
What Are Spritz Cookies? The Secret to Easy, Elegant Holiday Baking
If you’ve ever admired those beautifully shaped, delicate cookies adorning Christmas platters, you’ve likely encountered spritz cookies. The name “spritz” comes from the German word “spritzen,” meaning “to squirt,” referring to the method of pressing the dough through a special tool. This tool, aptly named a cookie press, allows you to effortlessly create intricate designs using various stencils or discs. From festive stars and trees to wreaths and snowflakes, the possibilities are endless, making them a visual delight on any holiday spread.
One of the greatest advantages of spritz cookies, especially during the busy holiday season, is their efficiency. With a good cookie press, you can churn out dozens of these charming treats in mere minutes. This makes them an ideal choice when you need a large quantity of cookies for gift-giving, cookie exchanges, or simply to fill your own cookie jar to the brim. The dough itself is typically a simple butter cookie base, lending itself beautifully to a myriad of flavor enhancements, as we’ve done here with the addition of warm cinnamon and rich caramel.
The Irresistible Flavor Fusion: Cinnamon, Butter, and Caramel Kisses
What truly elevates these cinnamon spritz cookies beyond the ordinary is their exceptional flavor profile and delightful texture. Each bite offers a melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness, a testament to a well-crafted spritz cookie dough. This rich, tender base is then beautifully infused with the comforting warmth of cinnamon. Cinnamon, with its distinctive sweet and spicy notes, is synonymous with holiday baking, evoking feelings of coziness and nostalgia. It adds a layer of depth that makes these cookies undeniably festive.
But the true showstopper, the crowning glory of these delightful treats, is the Caramel Hershey’s Kiss nestled in the center of each cookie. As the cookies bake, the caramel kiss gently softens, and upon taking a bite, it oozes out with a creamy, sweet burst. This creates a wonderful contrast between the slightly crisp edges of the cookie and the gooey, luscious caramel, adding an extra dimension of indulgence. It’s a harmonious blend of classic holiday spice and decadent caramel that makes these cookies utterly irresistible and memorable. They are designed not just to satisfy a sweet craving but to evoke the very essence of holiday joy.
A Baker’s Tale: The Spritz Cookie Press Saga
While the joy of baking these cookies is immense, my journey with spritz cookies has had its share of bittersweet moments. I must confess, with a touch of melancholy, that the batch you see here represents a significant milestone – both a first and, ironically, a last, for the cookie press I owned at the time. I managed to press out a respectable two dozen cookies, each one promising a delightful holiday treat. However, as I approached the very last bit of dough, my trusty cookie press, a gift from several years ago, decided it had given its all. It simply got stuck.
Despite my best efforts to coax the remaining dough out, the press tragically snapped apart. My initial thought was, “No problem, I’ll just snap it back together.” But alas, a critical piece of plastic lay stubbornly on the counter, and the press refused to reassemble. A definite “boo hiss” moment for any enthusiastic baker! Given that it was a gift, I was left wondering about warranty options, though without a receipt, the prospects seemed dim. This unfortunate incident highlighted the critical importance of reliable baking tools, especially during the high-demand holiday season.
**Update:** After that rather dramatic baking incident, I invested in an OXO Cookie Press, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has proven to be incredibly durable, user-friendly, and has yet to fail me. It truly makes the spritz cookie experience a breeze, allowing you to focus on the joy of baking rather than the frustration of faulty equipment. A good cookie press is truly an investment for years of beautiful holiday cookies!
Tips for Perfect Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies
Achieving perfectly shaped and deliciously tender spritz cookies requires a few simple tips. The key lies in the dough consistency and proper cookie press technique.
- Dough Consistency is Crucial: The dough should be soft enough to press easily but firm enough to hold its shape. If your dough is too stiff, it won’t press well. If it’s too soft or warm, your shapes might spread. Room temperature butter is essential for a good spritz dough.
- No Greasing Necessary: Spritz cookies are traditionally baked on ungreased cookie sheets. The fat content in the butter prevents sticking, and an ungreased surface helps the dough adhere and maintain its shape during pressing.
- Pressing Technique: Ensure the cookie press is held flat against the cookie sheet. Press the trigger or lever once firmly. Don’t lift the press immediately; give the dough a moment to release and stick to the pan before gently pulling the press straight up. Practice makes perfect!
- Temperature Control: If your kitchen is very warm, the dough can become too soft. You might need to chill the dough briefly (10-15 minutes) if it becomes difficult to work with. Likewise, if your dough is too cold, it will be hard to press.
- Immediate Kiss Placement: Placing the unwrapped Caramel Hershey’s Kiss immediately after taking the cookies out of the oven is key. The residual heat melts the chocolate just enough for it to adhere and become soft and gooey without completely losing its shape.
- Even Baking: Bake until the edges are just lightly browned. Over-baking can make spritz cookies dry and less melt-in-your-mouth. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven.
Following these tips will ensure your Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies are not only beautiful but also wonderfully delicious, bringing smiles to everyone who tries them.
Equipment You May Need:
To embark on your own spritz cookie adventure, here are a few tools that will make the process smoother and more enjoyable:
Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies Recipe
2 dozen
30 minutes
11 minutes
41 minutes
These butter spritz cookies spiced with cinnamon then topped with caramel Hershey’s kisses need to make an appearance on your cookie trays for Christmas. They are a delightful blend of classic holiday flavors and a surprising caramel center, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 30 Caramel Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Have 3 ungreased cookie sheets ready*.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and creamy, typically about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined and well mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
- Prepare your cookie press with your desired stencil or disc then fill it with the cookie dough**. Press cookies about 1 inch apart directly onto each ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The baking time may vary based on your oven and cookie thickness.
- Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, place one unwrapped Caramel Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each warm cookie. Gently press down on the kiss to help it adhere and slightly melt.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This helps the caramel set.
Notes
*If you only have two cookie sheets, bake in batches as directed. Allow one of the cookie sheets to cool for a few minutes before reusing it for the next batch. Placing dough on a hot sheet can cause spreading.
**If you don’t have a cookie press, you can still enjoy these flavors! Simply roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with your thumb before baking. Then, add the Hershey’s Kiss as directed.
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Source: Adapted from Land O’ Lakes 5th Annual Holiday Cookies Cookbook
More Delightful Holiday Cookie Recipes For You
Looking to expand your holiday cookie repertoire? Here are more festive cookie ideas to inspire your baking:
S’mores Spritz Sandwich Cookies
Cherry Cordial Blossom Cookies
Chocolate Cherry M&M Thumbprint Cookies
Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Irish Cream and Pistachio Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
S’mores Blossom Cookies
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Disclosure: I was given a Hershey’s Baking Prize Pack to give away. All photos, opinions, and text are mine. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links, which helps keep my blog running. As always, thank you for your support! Your readership allows me to continue sharing delicious recipes and baking adventures with you.